THE FATHER NATURE

THE FAMILY GROOVE’S PROFILE OF A DAD WHO’S MAKING IT HAPPEN

Mkulima Giovanni Britt is a family man—if that family jumped out of the pages of Vogue.
But don't let tall, dark and handsome fool you—Mkulima has worked hard for everything
in his life, from his job to his ever-blossoming relationship with his wife to his most treasured
role as father. Add that to the fact that he's the chef of the house (and he loves it!), he actually
enjoys the bedtime rituals with his girls and, well, no need for anything else—he had us at
chef of the house.

Here, the self-proclaimed milkman talks about living in the moment, the secret of a good marriage
and living a life without one single regret.

1. Who are you?
Mkulima Giovanni Britt

2. How old are you?
38

3. Where do you live?
San Anselmo, Calif.

4. How many children do you have? How old?
Two girls, 5 and 3

5. What do you do for a living?
A “milkman” for Clover Stornetta Farms Inc.

6. Tell us about it.
I work for a family-owned processor and distributor of milk and dairy products based in Petaluma, Calif. The business was started by my grandfather, two of my uncles, and two other families. I started working in the business when I was 12 and would spend my summers working through college. After several years away from the business, I returned at 25 to begin my full-time career. I have worked my way up at various positions in the company on my way to my current position as VP of Finance and Operations.

7. What daily rituals must you do to feel normal?
My favorites include cooking dinner for the family. Yes, I’m the chef and thoroughly enjoy it. I find it helps me unwind at the end of the day but also gives me a chance to be creative and to make sure that my family has at least one good meal every day. I also enjoy the nightly ritual with the kids (often the most time I get to spend with them during the week)…brushing teeth, reading books and then cuddling in bed. One of my vices is the daily glass of red wine—usually while I am cooking (helps with the unwinding…).

8. What do you wish you'd do every day, but haven't been able to incorporate into your routine?
I would love to get to the gym a little more often as well as have time for a bucket of balls on the range and perhaps even a bike ride now and then.

9. What's the best thing your father ever told you?
Unfortunately, I did not get to really know my father…my parents separated when I was 5 and we met in person only a few times after that. He passed away before my marriage and kids. My grandfather became the strongest father figure in my life when my family moved from Seattle to Cotati, Calif. He was the son of Italian immigrants and was a World War II hero as well as a successful businessman—a true American hero. He taught me the value of hard work and the importance of family. He had many quotable sayings, but one of my favorites was on marriage: “The secret to a successful marriage is to give 70 percent (because no one can give 100 percent all of the time) and to expect 50 percent and you will always be happy.” Another was very simple: “Never go to bed mad (at each other).”

10. What surprises you most about being a dad?
How much your children help you enjoy life!

11. What does being a good husband mean?
It means a never-ending pursuit of being supportive of your spouse and all of her endeavors. The cooking and cleaning in the kitchen helps…I guess it’s a good thing I enjoy it.

12. What's your mantra/personal philosophy?
Try to live every moment of every day and do what is right—for others and yourself.

13. What do you tell other fathers about fatherhood?
You quickly forget the sleepless nights and changing diapers. The best is when they fall asleep on your chest watching football on a Sunday afternoon. It just gets better every day from there.

14. Finish this sentence: I want my children to know…
…they can achieve anything they set their heart and minds to do—absolutely anything.

15. Who inspires you?
My mother inspires me because she worked so hard and sacrificed so much to raise my sister and me as a single mother. Our president, Barack Obama…the first non-white male president. While I do not agree with everything he has done, he has transcended an ultimate barrier that will signify tremendous repercussions for all of our futures.

16. What are you passionate about?
I love music, almost all kinds…and wine…and food…and family.

17. How do you balance your life as a man, a father, a husband, a son, a friend?
Good question…it’s not easy and I think you have to be at peace with yourself before you can give to others. While we all try to find balance, that is not necessarily my goal…life throws plenty of curveballs, and I find myself giving more (love, time, energy) when and where it is needed—to my wife, my children, my mom, my sister and extended family, my friends, my co-workers and, yes, even myself when it is needed.

18. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
Nothing…life has been and continues to be a fantastic journey. I do not have any regrets and I look forward to learning and living more each day.

19. What's your ideal Father's Day?
I am blessed to have a perfect Father’s Day every year (since I have been a father). The men in my extended family (uncles and cousins) have a 65-plus-year tradition of going on a fishing trip every Father’s Day. It is a tradition that my grandfather started with a few of his friends and then all of their sons many years ago. A group of 40 of us (extended family and friends, all fathers and sons over 12) go to the same spot every year for three days and nights of fishing, revelry and male bonding, and then return home on Sunday afternoon to our individual families. Covered in dust and unshaven for at least three days, I am greeted by my loving family who has readied dinner, a glass of red wine and hopefully a seat on the couch where I get to watch the final round of the U.S. Open. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we have fresh trout as an appetizer.

20. How do you get your groove on?
One word: Vegas! And, yes, one of my other vices happens to be gambling—I’m lucky if I go one time per year.